IRVINE, Calif., September 26, 2011 - The Sorento compact crossover enters its second model year wîth an impressive resumé of awards and accolades, including being recognized as a 2011 'Top Safety Pick' by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Launched as part of the company's design-led transformation, the Sorento presents consumers wîth a well-equipped, well-appointed CÚV wîth impressive power, fuel efficiency and handling suited for the fun, dynamic and discerning driver, and offers a generous list of standard comfort and convenience features as well as an impressive array of safety equipment. The Sorento also has achieved a number of historic firsts for Kia, including being the first vehicle built at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) in West Point, Georgia, and becoming the company's first vehicle to surpass sales of 100,000 units in a single year.

The Sorento builds on its initial success for the 2012 model year wîth the addition of an available 2.4-liter, four-cylinder GDI engine that offers significant gains in horsepower and fuel efficiency. This state-of-the-art fuel system allows Sorento to provide class-leading four-cylinder power (191 horsepower) and fuel economy (32 mpg/highway). The 2012 Sorento also offers additional cutting-edge technologies such as Kia's new ÚVO powered by Microsoft®4 voice-activated infotainment system based on the Windows Embedded Automotive platform. Greatly aiding driver connectivity, convenience and safety, ÚVO is standard on Sorento EX models.

Also new for 2012 – and standard on all Sorento trims wîth cloth seating – is YES-Essentials seat fabric that provides anti-bacterial, anti-soil and anti-static properties for added longevity and livability. The 2012 Sorento also introduces new convenience, comfort and luxury features available across all trim lines, including: power-folding side mirrors, a heated wood trim §teering wheel, memory driver seat and side mirror position, a power passenger seat and a cool ventilated driver's seat.

Dynamic Design wîth an Attractive PriceSorento employs a unibody design wîth the ability to comfortably fit up to seven passengers, and represents a modern compact CÚV that is just the right size for today's consumer wîth an overall length of 183.9 inches and overall width of 74.2 inches. Sorento offers occupants a spacious, yet comfortable ride in a relatively compact exterior size. Prominently displaying the signature grille and wraparound headlamps exhibited on all new Kia models, Sorento offers an aggressive stance and sleek profile. Sorento features swept-back lines and dynamic presence wîth an angled window line, large flared-back headlamps, prominent fog lamps and rounded nose, while the view from the rear offers the same forceful attitude wîth a rounded back and tail lamps set powerfully within the rear lift gate. Available in LX, EX and SX trim levels, the popular CÚV begins at $23,1505 for the LX trim, offering standard convenience features, including air conditioning, a tilt and telescopic §teering wheel, SiriusXM™ Satellite Radio capabilities wîth three months complimentary service6, MP3 connectivity and Bluetooth®7 wireless technology and §teering wheel-mounted audio controls.

Modern Interior wîth Cutting-Edge TechnologyThe Sorento provides a feeling of spaciousness wîth both five- and seven-passenger seating configurations (third row optional), making the Sorento more versatile than most of its compact CÚV competitors. With 142.5 cubic feet of interior volume when equipped wîth five seats or 149.4 cubic feet wîth seven, Sorento is spacious wîth generous head and legroom for optimal occupant comfort. In the five-passenger configuration, the CÚV offers 37 cubic feet of cargo to accommodate both passenger and cargo needs for cruising around town as easily as weekends camping in the mountains.

Able to suit practically any driver, Sorento offers the discriminating consumer specific package options. The Convenience Package, available for the LX trim, adds roof rails, rear sonar, a rear view mirror wîth backup camera display, heated front seats and fog lamps. Moving to the Premium Plus Package (EX trim) are leather trim seats, heated front seats, power passenger seat, three rows of seating and a host of other amenities. A panoramic sunroof also is available (EX V6 and SX trims only) further adding to the feeling of spaciousness. By upgrading to the Limited Package, (available for the EX-V6 trim), owners will benefit from luxuriously appointed features, including a voice-activated navigation system11 wîth real-time traffic, an Infinity premium surround system wîth 10 speakers and a 550-watt digital amplifier, power folding outside mirrors, memory driver seat and side mirror position and an air-cooled driver seat for added comfort and convenience.

Class-Leading Performance and Fuel EfficiencyThe 2012 Sorento offers three engines – an advanced 2.4-liter GDI four-cylinder engine providing class-leading 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque and a class-leading fuel efficiency rating of 32 mpg/highway; a 3.5-liter V6 providing class-leading 276 horsepower12 and 248 pound-feet of torque; and the affordable 2.4-liter Multi-Port Injected (MPI) four-cylinder engine producing 175 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque. All engines are coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission wîth Sportmatic™ shifting control. This advanced six-speed automatic transmission is a proprietary design for Kia Motors that was developed, engineered and built specifically for Kia vehicles, making the brand one of only three manufacturers to employ this transmission design technology. To further meet consumer needs, there is a choice of either front- or all-wheel-drive configurations, the latter coming wîth a locking center differential to evenly distribute power to all wheels while operating the vehicle at low speeds during more severe weather conditions. For enhanced ride performance, the Sorento employs a compact and light MacPherson strut front suspension and a fully independent multi-link rear suspension.

Advanced Safety FeaturesLike all Kia vehicles, the 2012 Sorento is equipped wîth a plethora of standard safety equipment. All trims come outfitted wîth driver and passenger advanced front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, first and second row side curtain airbags and front active headrests, four-wheel Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD). Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) and Downhill Brake Control (DBC) also come standard on all models, the former assisting in preventing the vehicle from rolling backward when trying to pull away from an uphill gradient, while the latter helps keep the vehicle moving straight and steady down steep grades.

Industry-Leading WarrantyThe 2012 Sorento is covered by Kia's comprehensive warranty program13, which offers consumer protection at an exceptional value. Included in this program are a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty and a five-year/100,000-mile anti-perforation warranty. A five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan also is part of the comprehensive vehicle coverage.

Design-Led Transformation and Product LineKia Motors has undergone a dramatic, design-led transformation, which has been delivering dynamically styled vehicles in several important §egmènts at exactly the right time, contributing to the brand's continued gains in Ú.S. market share. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and brand growth through design innovation, quality, value, safety features and new technology. Kia's commitment to the Ú.S. market is represented by its Ú.S.-based manufacturing facilities in West Point, Georgia – KMMG – which is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and added the critically acclaimed Optima midsize sedan to its production line in September. Kia's model year 2012 vehicle line includes the Sorento CÚV, Sportage compact CÚV, Optima midsize sedan, Optima Hybrid, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, all-new Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.

Visitors logging onto the Kia.com website today will be treated to a sneak preview of the soon-to-be-introduced Kia Sorento sport utility vehicle in the form of an interactive microsite, KiaSorento.com. The site features video footage, photography, features and specifications as well as performance, safety, and styling information about the Kia Sorento. Pricing information will also soon be added to make clear Kia's unique value proposition in the mid-size SÚV §egmènt.

The microsite, conceived by Animated Designs, Kia's interactive agency, has a lifestyle theme that shows the Sorento in a variety of settings displaying its appeal to a wide range of buyers. Visitors to the microsite can easily navigate through several interrelated sections to learn about the vehicle. They can view the full range of color combinations available, take 360-degree tours of both the interior and exterior, or view videos that feature running footage of the new mid-size SÚV. The microsite also incorporates several avenues for customers to request more information, order brochures, and e-mail Sorento information to friends.

'This is the most comprehensive minisite we've launched in support of a new vehicle introduction and we couldn't be more pleased wîth the product and the site,' said Wally Anderson, Kia's vice president, marketing. 'The Sorento site is designed to show how the vehicle will meet the needs of a variety of lifestyles. Its purpose is to generate interest and generate leads during the pre-launch period.' Additional photos and information will be added often throughout the site. The goal is turning Kia's online shoppers into return visitors who become potential buyers when Sorento launches this fall.

The Sorento microsite is just one component of the marketing efforts to support the launch of the new Kia SÚV. In addition, the Sorento will be featured in a comprehensive, integrated advertising and marketing campaign in conjunction wîth the August 6 VHS/DVD release of New Line's 'The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring,' which was the most nominated film of 2001 and won four Academy Awards.

Kia posted record sales of 223,726 units for calendar year 2001, representing a 39 percent increase from the record sales of 160,606 units in 2000.